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272
Krakatit

that I’m able to assist you. Honestly, extremely glad. And you? Will you give us six ounces?”

“I won’t. I shall destroy it myself but . . . to begin with I want to see whether our old treaty still holds. Free movement, and all the rest, eh? You remember?”

“The old agreement,” roared Mr. Carson. “The devil take the old agreement. At that time you weren’t—you hadn’t yet relations with——

Prokop sprang towards him, rattling loudly. “What did you say? What hadn’t I?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Mr. Carson hastened to say, blinking his eyes quickly. “I don’t know. Your private affairs are nothing to do with me. If you want to walk about the park that’s your affair, eh? Only for God’s sake go and——

“Listen,” said Prokop suspiciously, “No cutting off the current to my laboratory. Because——

“Good, good,” Mr. Carson assured him. “The status quo, eh? Good luck.—Ugh! a cursed fellow,” he added irritatedly when at last Prokop had left the room.

Still rattling, Prokop made his way to the park, as heavy and solid as a howitzer. In front of the castle was standing q collection of gentlemen, but no sooner had they caught sight of him in the distance than they retired in some confusion, evidently having been informed of this highly charged and furious individual; their backs expressed the highest degree of indignation that such a thing should be allowed. Then Prokop came upon Mr. Krafft walking with Egon and giving him peripatetic instruction. As soon as he saw Prokop, he left Egon and ran across